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> It's a non executive role, so I assume it's more for 'experience and wisdom' in their respective fields and expertise than anything else. He's clearly there
by j_col 14y ago
> It's a non executive role, so I assume it's more for 'experience and wisdom' in their respective fields and expertise than anything else.
He's clearly there to wield influence. What other possible reason?
- johneth 14y agoIf he was there to wield influence, he's not done very well this time - otherwise why would the BBC report on possible foul play by his former company? Why would they explicitly mention his connection with the BBC?
- j_col 14y ago> If he was there to wield influence, he's not done very well this time - otherwise why would the BBC report on possible foul play by his former company Well it such a big story now, they can hardly not run with it can they? > Why would they explicitly mention his connection with the BBC? Again, because they have to. I find it fascinating that private industry leaders would be involved, non-executive or otherwise, in the running of a state broadcasting company. The BBC is spending British taxpayer's money after all. Does not seem impartial.
- DanBC 14y ago> The BBC is spending British taxpayer's money after all. There used to be funding from the Foreign Office for BBC World Service, but that has now ended. There's a tiny payment from Department of Work and Pensions to cover the discount for people over 70. What other tax-payer money is used for the BBC?
- j_col 14y ago> What other tax-payer money is used for the BBC? License fee.
- DanBC 14y agoHow is the licence fee a tax?
- accountoftheday 14y agoWatching any live TV in the UK, even when avoiding all BBC channels, is subject to this mandatory payment. Hence it is, by any reasonable definition, a tax.
- DanBC 14y agoSo it's a voluntary charge, payable by anyone who receives live tv in the UK? Collected by Capita, and paid to the BBC but not to the government? Call it tax-like, but it is not a tax, and mistaken terminology is unhelpful when campaigning to change the licence fee.
- accountoftheday 14y agoIn that sense VAT is also a voluntary charge. You can avoid it by eating nothing.
- DanBC 14y agoLots of food is VAT free or zero rated. The real difference between VAT and the TV licence is that VAT goes to the government via the Inland Revenue (?), while the TV licence goes to the BBC via Capita. Because it doesn't go to the government it's not a tax. I've already said it's tax-like.